Axial Magnetic Field Influence on Thermocapillary Convection in Detached Solidification under Microgravity

Abstract

Control of melt flow in crystal growth process by application of the magnetic field is a practical technique. In order to investigate the effects of the magnetic field on the thermocapillary convection in the detached solidification, the finite-difference method is adopted to carry on numerical simulation. It is assumed that the melt is incompressible, the value of the aspect ratio (height/radius) of the crucible equals to 1, and the non-dimensional width of the gas gap equals to 0.1. The growth of crystal is studied when the Hartmann number is equal to 0, 25, 50 and 75, respectively. The results indicate that the axial magnetic field can effectively inhibit the strength of the flow, and with the strength of magnetic field increasing, the inhibition effects of magnetic field further enhances.